How do I pay a Chinese factory safely?

By I&R Group, Jiaxing. Reviewed October 3, 2026.

Pay only to a bank account in the exact name of the company on the business license, never to a personal account or a name that does not match. The usual structure is a deposit to start production and the balance after the factory acceptance test, written into the proforma invoice; for large orders a letter of credit adds protection. A request to change the bank account mid-order is a common fraud and should stop the payment.

• Account name must match the business license, exactly.
• Balance after the factory acceptance test, not before shipment on trust.
• A sudden bank-change email is a red flag; verify by phone with your contact.